Date: March 10, 2007
Location: Hong Kong, China (Day 2 of 3)
Next Port: Chan May (Hue), Vietnam, March 13
Quick Summary: Another cloudy, overcast day but one spent exploring the Jade Market in Kowloon and theStanley Market on Hong Kong Island. We spent an enjoyable evening having dinner with Mark Hooper and his girlfriend, Wai Yin.
Report: While at breakfast, Larry announced he was not feeling well and was going to let Karen go out and explore on her own. She quickly found a friend, Mary Ann, who was also planning to do some market visits. So they set out together. They joined up with Doris and took a cab over to the famous Jade Market in Kowloon. There they found jade in every form, shape, color, size and price. The more than 400 stalls also sold jewelry and trinkets made from other minerals and semi-precious gems, including pearls. It was an overwhelming experience, but Karen did manage to buy a few trinkets. The vendors here were much less aggressive than in Shanghai, but they did not like to bargain quite as much.
Doris decided to go back to the ship and not join us on our next market adventure. What cost us $17 Hong Kong going to the market cost us $97 Hong Kong returning, and we were not even taken back to the ferry terminal near the ship. We had given a card with Chinese directions to the cab driver, but he ended up taking us through a tunnel to Hong Kong Island. We finally got him to let us off at the ferry terminal where we knew Doris could get back to Kowloon and the ship, and where we could find a bus to Stanley Market. (The $97 HK really only set us back about $12US, something we are used to in Chicago.)
Mary Ann and Karen enjoyed a 45-minute bus ride through many neighborhoods and along a scenic road overlooking Repulse Bay. The crescent-shaped bay has some of the most beautiful beaches in Hong Kong. Karen was able to get some interesting pictures even through the haze. One of the hillside graveyards was quite interesting, even from the moving bus.
Stanley Market is a popular attraction for both locals and tourists (we met many of our shipmates there) located on the south side of the island. Narrow lanes were lined with small colorful shops and stalls selling everything from silk clothing, Mah Jongg sets, toys, books, handbags, Chinese souvenirs and many other “treasures.” We had a good time visiting each of the stalls, some twice, and managed to come away with some gifts. (I don’t think Larry would have enjoyed it quite as much as Karen did!) For lunch, we enjoyed a bowl of won ton soup alfresco along Stanley Main Street.
We were able to find a double-decker bus back to Kowloon and sat in the front seats with large expansive windows in front of us. We soon learned that we were on a “local” and saw even more neighborhoods than on our way over…which we did enjoy. Fortunately, there was a young Chinese man sitting next to us who was able to tell us which stop to get off after having ridden for over an hour. We had a very full day “marketing,” but were glad to get “home” around 6 pm.
Karen and Larry joined a former Boeing Communications colleague, Mark Hooper, and his girlfriend, Wai Yin, for dinner. Mark has worked in Asia for six years and Wai Yin runs an art gallery in Hong Kong. They are both very interesting people, and we had a great time.
We had been communicating with them via e-mail for several weeks. We joined them at one of their favorite restaurants, Hutong – on the 28th floor of One Peking Road, a very modern office building just three blocks behind the Ocean Cruise Terminal.
What a spectacular restaurant. The view was terrific, even with the fog and low clouds. The décor was equally magnificent. Upon entering off the elevator, we viewed a tree filled with dripping candles. We sat on at a high table in bentwood chairs with footrests in front of a wall of glass. The entire harbor and the lights of Hong Kong were spread out before us. The restaurant was dark, with small spotlights and intricate wooden twig table decorations. Each platter was an art presentation itself…the food, the bowls, the decorations.
We didn’t even try to work our way through the extensive menu. We just let Wai Yin order for all of us. We had sliced scallops with fruit strips, spring rolls, de-boned lamb, chicken and tomatoes, spicy string beans, pork dumplings, and fish with beans – with mango pudding in the shape of fish and taro Kowloon cakes for dessert. I know that those of you who have been to Hawaii might not appreciate the last; but, believe us, those taro cakes didn’t taste like “mashed elephant,” otherwise known as poi–at all. They were delicious.
During dinner, we enjoyed the daily evening light show from the buildings surrounding the harbor. While not as spectacular as they would be on a clear evening, the laser lights and various moving lights on the buildings were quite a sight.
After dinner, we walked over to the famous Peninsula Hotel. In the past 10 years or so, they have added a tower to this restored grand old lady. The area in front now contains the Cultural Museum built on filled land. We were not able to get into the crowded bar at the top, Felix’s, but we walked through the lobby and met Capt. Dag and a few of his friends passing through.
After a short chat, we bid goodnight to Mark and Wai Yin. They had spent a tiring day moving apartments, and we appreciated their slipping away and spending their evening with us.
As it turned out, our dinners in Hong Kong were two of the highlights of our short visit. Being with friends and shared experiences make great memories.
Karen and Larry
Photos of our cruise are available at the web site:
picasaweb.google.com/larryworldcruise
Photos of Saturday in Hong Kong have been added.
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